Tides of Zaun

VXX

The morning sun filtered through the dusty windows of the brothel, casting a warm glow on the faded decor. Sevika pushed open the door, her expression a mix of determination and weariness. She had spent the night rallying the troops, and now it was time to report back to Jinx.

As she stepped into Jinx's room, the sight that greeted her made her pause. There, nestled on the couch beneath a tangled mess of sheets, lay Jinx and Ekko, blissfully unaware of the world around them. Their bodies were intertwined, skin peeking out from the covers, and the soft rise and fall of their chests indicated a peaceful slumber.

Sevika couldn't help the smirk that spread across her face. "Well, well, well. You just couldn't stay away from her, could you, kid?" she teased, crossing her arms as she leaned against the doorframe.

Jinx stirred at the sound of Sevika's voice, her eyes fluttering open. She squinted against the light, confusion clouding her features for a moment. Then realization hit her, and she shot up, the sheets falling away to reveal her bare skin. "What the hell, Sevika?" she exclaimed, scrambling to pull the covers back up around her.

Ekko blinked awake beside her, his hair a tousled mess. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and glanced between Sevika and Jinx, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "Uh, good morning?" he offered, clearly caught off guard but not flustered.

"Morning," Sevika replied, a knowing glint in her eye. But her expression shifted to something more serious as she stepped further into the room. "I have news, and it's not all about your late-night activities."

Jinx shot Ekko a quick glance, the heat of embarrassment still lingering. "Fine, what's the news?"

Sevika straightened, her tone becoming more resolute. "I managed to rally most of the troops back. We're not as scattered as I feared." She paused, her gaze sharpening. "And I met a girl named Dany. She's resourceful and knows her stuff, but I think she seemed a bit sketchy."

"Sketchy how?" Jinx asked, furrowing her brow.

Sevika leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed. "She recognized me right away and knew who I was. That's not usually a good sign, especially in our line of work. I'm not saying we can't trust her, but we should keep an eye on her."

Ekko exchanged a worried look with Jinx. "We can't afford any loose ends right now," he said, his voice low.

"Exactly," Sevika agreed, her tone serious. "While she might be useful, let's not forget that this is Zaun. Everyone has their own agenda."

"So, what do we do?" Jinx asked, her voice steady.

"We stay cautious. Keep your eyes open, and don't reveal too much until we know where she stands," Sevika advised. "For now, let's focus on building back our strength. I'll dig deeper into Dany's background while you two figure out your next move."

Jinx nodded, a determined look in her eyes. "Got it. But first, Ekko, you owe me some ice for these bruises."

"Always practical," Ekko teased, nudging her shoulder playfully. "Let's handle that first, then we can plan our next steps."

Sevika shook her head, a mix of amusement and exasperation. "You two are ridiculous," she said, but her voice was light. "Just make sure you don't burn the place down while I'm gone."

As she turned to leave, Jinx called after her, "And don't forget to bring Dany by when you can!"

Sevika waved her hand dismissively. "I'll see what I can do," she replied, stepping out of the room.

As the door clicked shut behind Sevika, the tension between Jinx and Ekko shifted. The earlier lightness faded, replaced by an intimacy that hummed in the air. Jinx caught Ekko's gaze, her heart racing as memories of their night together played through her mind.